Tesha Thornton

Greetings! My name is Tesha Thornton, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor offering therapy services virtually for clients residing in Virginia. I have been in the field of mental health for 20 years. My experience is extremely broad as I have held positions providing individual and family counseling services within juvenile detention centers, crisis intervention services for several Virginia localities, emergency room assessments, and court liaison services for foster care children. Currently, my focus areas of practice include relationship issues and decisions, loneliness, grief, life and career transitions, military members and spouses, stress management, and those struggling with issues stemming from the pandemic, including social anxiety and depression.

My approach

My treatment approach is eclectic as I utilize various treatment modalities when working with clients, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness.

My focus

I welcome clients all clients, especially those who have a need to form a therapeutic alliance with a BIPOC clinician who is understanding of culturally sensitive situations. I am an ally of the LGBTQIA community and have experience working with people who identify in this community. I retired from the Air National Guard in 2017, so my military career exposed me to several experiences that are relatable to those serving in the military.

My communication style

Therapy doesn't have to be daunting. Let's try to work together in a nonjudgmental, genuine environment where you can disclose what you need to begin to heal!

My journey to mental healthcare

My childhood experiences set the stage for me to desire to help others, and I know I am relatable to so many people because of the things I had to learn to manage. I am driven to continue in this field when I receive positive feedback from those I've worked with, or they mention that they used a technique I discussed with them, or they thought about something I said to them before making a decision. There is nothing that makes me happier than when I receive a referral from someone who mentions a former client told them about me!

My goals for you

In setting goals, I use a person-centered humanistic approach in that I want you to determine what you would like to focus on during your treatment. I will provide my clinical opinion to ensure we are developing a solid plan of action. Throughout your treatment, I will provide honest feedback regarding progress or any concerns of lack of commitment.

My first session with you

During our initial session, I like to utilize that time to build rapport while obtaining pertinent intake information. I will explain the format for each session, provide you with contact information for me, review cancellation procedures, and answer any questions you may have regarding the process. I strive to ensure that at the end of the session, you are well informed and will let you know that the sessions are geared toward your needs, not mine. Also, I will encourage you not to be nervous in letting me know if you don't think we may be a good fit, as sometimes people may not be a match. I want my clients to feel comfortable, so if someone does not think they can connect with me after a few sessions, I want them to feel empowered to notify me sooner than later. It's no hard feelings.